Mancini revives Italy squad.
Roberto Mancini returns to coach Italy with a heavily revamped squad of nine debutants.
Anonymous
Roberto Mancini is beginning his second tenure as Italy’s coach with an emphasis on immediate improvement, winning, and rebuilding the national team after three straight missed World Cups. He defended selecting a heavily revamped 34-player squad, including nine initial newcomers and a 10th added after an injury, saying the upcoming Nations League matches will help identify players for the next competitive cycle. Mancini acknowledged that frustrated fans have a right to feel betrayed but said strong performances are the best way to restore their trust. Italy opens against Belgium in Rome before facing Türkiye twice and France, with Mancini promising a team that plays assertively and gives its best.
Key Points
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Mancini previously led Italy to the Euro 2020 title, but resigned after the team failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and subsequently coached Saudi Arabia.
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Italy’s broader tournament decline extends beyond its three missed World Cups: the four-time world champions have not reached a World Cup knockout-stage match since losing the 2006 final to France.
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Among the new call-ups are 18-year-old Bologna goalkeeper Massimo Pessina and 22-year-old Brentford right-back Michael Kayode; Mancini said he expected the young players to bring “a carefree attitude.”
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Mancini’s return followed a turbulent coaching transition: Gennaro Gattuso departed, while an attempted appointment of Andrea Pirlo collapsed amid criticism of Pirlo’s commercial ties to a Russian betting company.
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Mancini said his ambition is not merely to stabilize Italy but to produce a dominant team: “I am going to have a team that dominates, plays well, and always gives their best,” while acknowledging that winning every match is impossible.
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